Portable refrigerator



Sept. 19, 1950 c. A. LIKES ETAL 2,522,623

PORTABLE REFRIGERATOR v Filed Feb. 2, 194a Y 3 sheets-sheetp'l Carl A. Likes Harry 0.. Kas

INVENTORS.

P 1950 c. A. LIKES ETAL 2,522,623

' PORTABLE REFRIGERATOR Filed Feb. 2, 1948. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

| a I I v l Carl A L ikes Harry 0. Kas

INVENTORS.

Patented Sept. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE REFRIGERATOR Carl A. Likes and Harry 0. KM, Ellis, Kans. Application February 2, 1948, Serial No. 5,738

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a portable electric refrigerator capable of being used in many types of conveyances, such as trucks, automobiles, ambulances and in the home as well as in both civil and military aircraft.

As may be known, it is often desirable to be able to have a small refrigerating system easily carried about. Such a device is of value to families out on pleasure trips, such as picnics, tours, orthe like. It would also be useful to truck drivers when they haul freight on long runs and are not able to conveniently stopat hotels or auto courts. With such equipment, food and drinks are easily stored and kept wholesome for longv periods of time. Another use for such a device would be to enable doctors and ambulances to keep serums, blood plasma, etc., under refrigeration while traveling to the point of use. In addition, such small compact refrigerating system would find great utility in places where space is limited, such as small apartments or trailers or perhaps in the armed forces. A primary object of the invention therefore, is to provide a portable electric refrigerator which may be used in a vehicle or in the home, as may be desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable refrigerator carrying case capable of keeping trays of ice in a frozen condition, or keeping other perishable articles in a proper stateof preservation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a compact and efficient refrigerating system of simple design and capable of being geared to mass production of manufacture.

A still further object of the invention is to eliminate radio interference when the unit is in operation.

And still another object of the invention is to provide attaching means for the unit which are recessed into the frame when the device is not in use.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts, which are exemplifled in the description hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, on which is illustrated one of the various possible embodiments of the invention:

Figure l is a perspective View of the refrigerator of the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view enlarged, of the refrigerator unit;

Figure 3 is a verticalsection of the structure illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section viewed on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective detail of the means to support the device in a vehicle;

Figure 6 is a horizontal view taken on line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a diagram of the electric circuit;

Figure 8 shows the connection for a six volt P Figure 9 shows the connection for a l10-volt plug.

Referring to the figures, the device of the invention comprises a portable box-shaped carrying case In and includes a refrigerating section l2 and a storage section l4 separated by suitable insulation l6. A cover I8, hinged at 20, provides the means for access to the cold storage compartment l4.

The refrigerator control section [2 is separated from storage i4 and insulation It by means of a wall 22. Wall 22 also serves to separate condenser unit 24- enclosed within a housing 26, which is, in turn, separated from cold storage l4 by a wall 28. As is best seen in Figure 1, section l2 includes top 30, sides 32 and panel 34. Knob 36 is mounted on 30 and controls the temperature of the refrigerating unit, as will shortly be explained. Ventilating means such as a grill 38, for air circulation, are supplied to all sides of the housing l2. A door 40, leading to a storage space and provided with knob 42 for opening, is mounted on panel 34. A rcess 4.4 on panel 34 serves to receive the plug end of a 6-volt connection 46 or a 110-volt connection 48, as is best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6, the refrigerator control means consists of a series wound motor 50, an open unit compressor 52 connected by any desired type of flexible coupling 54. The compressor unit is of any suitable type to be found on the open market and is a sealed-in unit and contains refrigerant and oil in proper quantities. The connecting lines are preferably of copper tubing and consist of tube 56 leading from compressor 52 to coil 58 on condenser unit 24, a suitable refrigerant metering device 60, freezing coil 62 and tube 64 leading back to compressor 52, in the refrigeration cycle usual to most mechanical refrigerating machines.

Terminals 66, 68 of a. jack lead to a. transformer ll in housing I2 and are connected in series to 3 a thermostat I2, controlled by knob 36 for automatic temperature regulation. The refrigerating unit is mounted on a plate 14 on the floor of compartment I2 and is securely fastened thereto at I6 by any selected means and includes shock mounts TI to absorb vibration and minimize noise. A freeze compartment I9 includes coils 62 and ice cube trays 80 and is mounted in storage compartment I4, in order to provide ice cubes, if desired, or a small frozen food locker.

A handle 82 is riveted at 84 to cover I8 to facilitate carrying of the device. Latching means 86 is included to secure cover I8. A grill 88 (see Figure 1) similar to grill 38 is provided for condenser unit 24. Condenser coils 58 include the usual fins 90.

J-shaped brackets 92 hinged at 94 and secured to housing 26 as by welding, enable the device I to be hung on the rail behind the front seat of the vehicle, or on any suitable projection, and pivots into recess 96 when not in use, to eliminate any projecting parts. A number of rubber pads or feet 98 are fastened tothe bottom of the device to prevent marring of the table or shelf on which the refrigerator may be placed.

Referring to the electrical wiring diagram illustrated in Figure 7, the operation of the unit is readily apparent. When in use on a vehicle,

through the primary of the transformer I0. The

accompanying drawings and claims shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

1. A portable refrigerator comprising a substantially rectangular housing, a substantially rectangular insulating wall within said container forming a storage compartment, one'longitudinal side of said wall being spaced from the corresponding side of said housing to form a condenser compartment and one transverse side of said wall being spaced from the corresponding side of said housing to form a. refrigerating compartment, a motor and compressor operatively connected thereto mounted in said refrigerating compartment, condenser coils connectedto said compressor and extending into said condenser compartment, an ice cube tray in said storage compartment, an evaporator extending into said storage compartment and surrounding said ice cube tray, and plug means carried by said housing and operatively connected to said motor adapted to engage a socket of an electrical supply and energize said motor.

2. The combination of claim 1 including supporting brackets hingedly mounted on said housing, and means to receive said brackets when not in use.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a cover pivotally mounted on said housing, handle means carried by said cover, and means to lock said cover in a closed position.

CARL A; LIKES. HARRY O. KAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS what is Number Name Date 1,561,820 Bedford Nov. 17, 1925 1,902,954 Hockfeld Mar. 28. 1933 1,926,767 Furniss Sept. 12, 1933 1,932,696 Heydthausen Oct. 31. 1933 1,935,307 Ackerman Nov. 14. 1933 1,938,141 Goldkind Dec. 5, 1933 2,029,175 Limpert Jan. 28, 1936 2,281,404 Wurster Apr, 28. 1942 2,392,727 Daiiey Jan. 8, 1946 

